Mirror for sun vizor of motor vehicles provided with a hinged cover

ABSTRACT

A mirror for a motor vehicle sun visor has a reflective member having a reflective surface; a frame having a frame portion for the reflective member and a U-shaped extension having inner facing surfaces and extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the frame portion; a hinged cover for concealing the reflective surface of the reflective member; elements for retaining and pivoting the hinged cover provided in the U-shaped extension and including two projections extending from the inner facing surfaces, the projections having longitudinal axes aligned with one another; and other elements for coupled the hinged cover with the frame including U-shaped clamps extending substantially obliquely from the hinged cover and having an external contour corresponding to a contour of the projections, so that when the clamps and the projections engage with each other the hinged cover can pivot and occupy a plurality of positions.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a mirror for motor vehicle sun visors,provided with a hinged cover and, in particular, applicable to modularstructure sun visors.

Technological improvements have been made in sun visors with which motorvehicles are equipped, particularly the passenger side sun visors withso-called vanity mirrors. The mirror is usually unit formed by areflective surface and assembly and mounting members.

The vanity mirrors may be provided with devices directed to directionalconcealment of the reflective surface, in accordance with the interiorof the vehicle passenger compartment, at the same time they preserve thereflective constants of the mirror surface and, therefore, the originalquality of the image provided by said surface.

Some solutions are disclosed in the following Spanish Utility Models:Utility model No. 276,352, Utility model No. 276,353 and Utility modelNo. 276,822.

In the Utility models Nos. 276,352 and 276,353 the reflective surfaceconcealing device is arrange on a hingedly mounted external coveringflap, while in Utility model No. 276,822 said concealing device isarranged on a cover which sides in longitudinal guideways and may inturn be concealed in the sun visor structure.

This constructions disclosed in the Utility models Nos. 276,352, 276,353and 276,822 are substantially complex to manufacture and assemble in thesun visor structures currently available on the market. This has anegative influence, raising the cost of the thus formed end product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to providing a new, economical solution to the problemraised by the concealment of the reflective surface of the so-calledvanity mirror normally integrated in the structure of the passenger sidesun visor, a mirror for motor vehicle sun visors is provided with ahinged cover which, is substantially different from prior art devices ofthis type.

The mirror for motor vehicle sun visors provided with a hinged coveraccording to the invention has a one-piece approximately rectangularframe with a frame provided for a reflective surface and having aU-shaped extension, and said extension has means for retaining andpivoting a hinged cover for concealing the reflective surface.

A further feature of the mirror of the invention is that the means forretaining and pivoting the hinged cover for concealing the reflectivesurface is formed on inner facing surfaces of the U-shaped is formed oninner facing surfaces of the U-shaped extension and includes twoprojections of sufficient dimensions which, respectively, extendperpendicularly to said facing surfaces. The projections have asufficient number of planes delimiting the position of concealment ofthe reflective surface by said hinged cover.

Yet a further feature of the mirror of the invention is that the coverfor concealing the reflective surface of the hinged mirror is anessentially rectangular one-piece member and has means for coupling saidcover to the one-piece frame as well as means facilitating useroperation of said cover once coupled to the one-piece frame.

The coupling means for the hinged cover to the one-piece frame is formedin the ends of one of the longer sides of said cover and includesU-shaped clamps extending substantially obliquely from the transverseaxis of said cover.

The clamps, are provided with an internal contour snugly correspondingwith the respective contour of the projections formed on the facinginner surfaces of the one-piece frame extension. The clamps andprojections are engaged with each other, to allow the hinged frame topivot and occupy set positions of use very a wide range.

An additional feature of the mirror of the invention is that when theone-piece frame is engaged with the cover and the latter is in thereflective surface concealing position, the joint action of thepositioning planes formed on the projections of the one-piece frameextension and on the clamps of the hinged cover, prevents the cover fromcoming out, under normal conditions of use, position, either because ofwear or because of vibrations caused by the vehicle when running.

The broad range of set positions of use defined between the position ofconcealment of the reflective surface of the mirror and that of use ofsaid reflective surface.

To facilitate manipulation of the mirror cover by the user, when it isengaged with the one-piece frame, the cover is provided on the frontsurface thereof with an easily actuatable sufficiently dimensionedprojection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a mirror of the invention with a one-pieceframe and the hinged cover, engaged with one another.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a section taken along the line II--II of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the one-piece frame of the mirror of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a section taken along the line IV--IV of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, of the one-piece frame.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cover of the mirror of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a section taken along line VII--VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective detail of the one-piece frame of the mirror ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A mirror for motor vehicle sun visors has, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 aone-piece frame 1 and a hinged cover 2, both made preferably fromplastics materials of mechanical properties appropriate for eachparticular application.

The one-piece frame 1 which in this embodiment is approximatelyrectangular, has a frame 3 extending over a perimeter of a plate 4containing the reflective surface of the mirror. The frame 1 has anextension 5 with means for retaining and pivoting cover 2 designed toconceal the hinged reflective surface as shown in detail in FIGS. 1, 2,3 and 4.

The frame 3 is formed by a covering flap 6 covering flap has an innerflange 6a and an outer flange 6e, and also a central rib 7 which, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, is perpendicular to the plane of thecovering flap 6.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show two spaced struts 8 extending between the two longersides of the frame 3. These struts 8 act as a structural reinforcementfor the one-piece frame 1. There are also retaining means for the plate4 containing the reflective surface of the mirror, and means foranchoring the one-piece frame 1 in the sun visor structure (not shown inthe accompanying drawing sheets).

It can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the that both struts 8 are providedin the middle of the front face, in the normal position of use, withrespective areas 9 of reliefs for retaining the plate 4. These reliefsprevent any movement or vibration of the plate 4 once mounted in theone-piece frame 1. It can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 that the struts8 are provided in the middle on the rear surface, in the normal positionof use, with respective retaining tabs 10 for anchoring the one-pieceframe 1 in the sun visor structure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show in detail the U-shaped extension 5 in which the meansfor retaining and pivoting the cover 2 is formed. The extension has anouter wing hinged 11 and a rib 12 perpendicular to the plane of theouter wing 11, acting as a structural reinforcement member.

The outer flange 6e and outer wing 11 are designed to cover theperimeter of the opening allowing the assembly of the mirror of theinvention in the sun visor over a sufficient distance. They conceal theperimeter which may be produced by machining and usually has anirregular profile.

The means for retaining and pivoting the hinged cover 2, as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 include two projections 13. They are locatedrespectively on the facing surfaces of the U-shaped extension 5 of theone-piece frame 1 and extend perpendicularly to the facing surfaces,with the respective axes thereof aligned. The projections 13 have planes14 defining the concealment position of the reflective surface by thehinged cover 2.

To increase the strength of the projections 13 against the mechanicalloads the hinged cover 2, when operated by user two struts 13t connectthe corresponding free ends of the projections 13 with the central rib7, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8.

The through hole 13p formed in the projections 13 and shown in FIGS. 2,4, 5 and 8 is merely a result of the manufacturing process of theone-piece frame 1 and has no operative function with regard to theinvention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show in detail the hinged cover 2. It has an essentiallyrectangular shape and corresponds, in this embodiment to the maximumdimensions of the frame 3.

U-shaped clamps 15 are formed at respective ends of one of the longersides of the hinged cover 2. The U-shaped clamps 15, as shown in FIG. 7,extend generally obliquely relative to the transverse axis of the hingedcover 2. Both clamps 15 are provided with an inner contour or crosssection snugly mating with the respective contour of the projections 13formed on the inner surfaces of the U-shaped extension 5 of theone-piece frame 1.

It is extremely simple to mount the hinged cover 2 in the one-pieceframe 1 with no tools being required. It suffices to face up the clamps15 and the projections 13 and press the latter into the clamps 15, sothat the one-piece frame 1 and the hinged cover 2 are firmly connected.

Once the hinged cover 2 is coupled to the one-piece frame 1, the usermay define set positions of use of the hinged cover 2 over a wide range,between the position of concealment of the reflective surface of themirror and the position of use under normal conditions of the reflectivesurface.

FIG. 2 shows the hinged cover 2 in the concealment position of themirror reflective surface. In this position the joint action of theplanes 14 defining this concealment position and formed on theprojections 13, and the mating planes 16 formed on the clamps 15 of thehinged cover 2, prevents the hinged cover 2 from coming out of saidposition during use as a result of wear or vibration of the vehicle whenrunning.

To facilitate the operation of the hinged cover 2 when it is coupled tothe one-piece frame 1, the cover 2 is provided with a projection 17 of ahinged sufficient size shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mirror for a motor vehicle sun visor,comprising a reflective member having a reflective surface; a framehaving a frame portion for said reflective member and a U-shapedextension extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axisof said frame portion; a hinged cover for concealing said reflectivesurface of said reflective member; at least one struts connected withsaid frame portion and having a relief for retaining said reflectivesurface member; and means for retaining and pivoting said hinged cover,provided in said extension.
 2. A mirror as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid frame portion has an external covering flap including an innerflange, an outer flange, and a central rib extending substantiallyperpendicularly to said flange.
 3. A mirror as defined in claim 1,wherein said strut has an opposite end provided with a retaining tab forengaging in a sun visor body.
 4. A mirror as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid frame portion has two longer sides, said strut extending betweensaid longer sides of said frame portion.
 5. A mirror as defined in claim1, and further comprising a second such strut, said struts being spacedfrom one another in a longitudinal direction of said frame portion.
 6. Amirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped extension has alength corresponding to a length of said frame portion.
 7. A mirror asdefined in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped extension has an external flapwith an outwardly oriented flange and a rib extending perpendicularly toa plane of said external flap.
 8. A mirror as defined in claim 1,wherein said frame is formed as a one-piece substantially rectangularframe.
 9. A mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinged cover hasan operating projection adapted to be grasped by a user for pivotingsaid hinged cover.
 10. A mirror for a motor vehicle sun visor,comprising a reflective member having a reflective surface; a framehaving a frame portion for said reflective member and a U-shapedextension extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axisof said frame portion; a hinged cover for concealing said reflectivesurface of said hinged cover provided in said extension, and whereinsaid U-shaped extension has inner facing surfaces, said retaining andpivoting means including two projections extending from said facingsurfaces and having longitudinal axes aligned with one another.
 11. Amirror as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said projections has aplurality of planes for providing a position of concealment of saidreflective surface by said hinged cover.
 12. A mirror as defined inclaim 10; and further comprising means for coupling said hinged coverwith said frame and including U-shaped clamps extending substantiallyobliquely from said hinged cover and having an external contourcorresponding to a contour of said projections, so that when said clampsand said projections engage with each other said hinged cover can pivotand occupy a plurality of positions.
 13. A mirror as defined in claim12, wherein each of said projections has a plurality of planes forproviding a position of concealment of said reflective surface by saidhinged cover, said clamps of said cover and said planes of saidprojections being formed so as to prevent said cover from coming out ofits concealing position.
 14. A mirror for a motor vehicle sun visor,comprising a reflective member having a reflective surface; a framehaving a frame portion for said reflective member and a U-shapedextension extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axisof said frame portion; a hinged cover for concealing said reflectivesurface of said reflective member, said hinged cover being formed as asubstantially rectangular one-piece member provided with means forcoupling said cover to said frame and with means for facilitatingoperation of said cover when said cover is coupled to said frame; andmeans for retaining and pivoting said hinged cover, provided in saidextension.
 15. A mirror for a motor vehicle sun visor, comprising areflective member having a reflective surface; a frame having a frameportion for said reflective member and a U-shaped extension having innerfacing surfaces and extending substantially perpendicularly to alongitudinal axis of said frame portion; a hinged cover for concealingsaid reflective surface of said reflective member; means for retainingand pivoting means being provided in said U-shaped extension andincluding two projections extending from said inner facing surfaces,said projections having longitudinal axes aligned with one another; andmeans for coupling said hinged cover with said frame, said means forcoupling including U-shaped clamps extending substantially obliquelyfrom said hinged cover and having an external contour corresponding to acontour of said projections, so that when said clamps and saidprojections engage with each other said hinged cover can pivot andoccupy a plurality of positions.